Did you know that 12,717 deaths, reported in 2022, occurred due to hepatitis C?1 This statistic highlights the importance of Hepatitis C diagnosis. Another important reason is that the condition often remains undetected until it causes liver complications.
Early diagnosis can minimize the chance of complications and help with further treatment. In this blog, we will guide you through all you need to know regarding Hepatitis C diagnosis- from antibody tests to PCR and RNA tests. Keep reading!
What Is Hepatitis C Diagnosis?
Hepatitis C diagnosis is the medical process of confirming whether a person is infected with Hepatitis C, a viral infection that mainly targets the liver. The infection occurs due to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and spreads mainly through blood-to-blood contact. Rarely, it may also spread after unprotected sex. If not diagnosed and treated in time, Hepatitis C can progress to chronic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
Types Of Hepatitis C Tests
Healthcare providers rely on a combination of blood tests for Hepatitis C diagnosis. These include:
- HCV antibody test
- HCV RNA test
- PCR test
HCV Antibody Test
This is usually the first Hepatitis C diagnosis test done to check for HCV screening. It detects antibodies, which are the proteins your immune system produces in response to the Hepatitis C virus.
A positive result in this case usually means you have been exposed to the virus at some point. That said, it does not necessarily mean you currently have an active infection. Some people clear the virus naturally or after treatment. That is why doctors often follow up with an HCV RNA test to confirm if the virus is still present in your body.
A negative result usually means you have never had Hepatitis C. However, this may not be accurate, especially if you were exposed to the virus within the past 6 months. The same can be true if you have a weakened immune system due to HIV, dialysis, or chemotherapy. In this case, too, you may need a follow-up RNA test.
HCV RNA Test
This is usually done after a positive antibody test to confirm whether the virus is still present in the body. It checks for the RNA of the virus in your blood to see if there is an active infection.
A positive result means you have an active infection. If it is negative, it means no active infection was found. This can happen in two cases:
- You were infected in the past, but your body has cleared the virus naturally or after treatment.
- The antibody test gave a false-positive result, and you were never actually infected.
PCR Test
This is also known as the Polymerase Chain Reaction test. It is often used as part of the HCV RNA testing process. It helps detect and quantify even tiny amounts of the virus’ genetic material in the blood. This makes it an extremely accurate and sensitive method for confirming Hepatitis C infection.
If you are looking to get this test done, Hepatitis C Viral RNA (Quantitative) By PCR is perfect. It can give you the measure of the viral load in your blood for proper diagnosis.
Conclusion
Hepatitis C often progresses silently, which makes early Hepatitis C diagnosis- important. Usually, the testing begins with the HCV antibody test. After this, your doctor may suggest HCV RNA or PCR testing to confirm active infection and determine the viral load. Once this is done, they can give you the right treatment to prevent complications.
